Obedience by Faith THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Heb. 10:38.
The group of God's people who live just before Jesus comes are gong to be known by two characteristics, according to Revelation 14:12. They are going to keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. What is meant by "keeping" the commandments? It would have to mean something more than believing in the commandments of God. It would have to include more than thinking that the commandments of God are nice. It isn't just to be in favor of the commandments.
Perhaps you have heard that it is true you will be keeping the commandments but that you won't be keeping them perfectly. Let's read it that way: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, but not perfectly." Do you want that added? That isn't what it says. I would like to take the position that if you don't keep the commandments of God perfectly, you don't keep them at all. Either you do or you don't.
The final issue in the great controversy is not going to be over whether Jesus died or not, or over whether or not His blood is sufficient. The last great issue, just before Jesus come, is whether we can obey or whether we continue to disobey. That's the final conflict. (See The Desire of Ages, p. 763.)
Can we obey? Or can we not obey? Does this subject seem incompatible with the theme of salvation by faith in Jesus? Does it sound as though we're headed straight for legalism? Or is it possible that the subjects of obedience and of salvation by faith alone can be found to harmonize?
When we accept as the foundation of our hope of salvation that we can come to Jesus just as we are, and are accepted because of what He did for us at the cross, we are then able to understand obedience correctly. Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleiveth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:16, 17).
Perhaps it is a new thought to some that we live by faith, as well as come to God by faith initially. Obedience is by faith, plus or minus nothing else. Obedience is by faith alone.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Heb. 10:38.
The group of God's people who live just before Jesus comes are gong to be known by two characteristics, according to Revelation 14:12. They are going to keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. What is meant by "keeping" the commandments? It would have to mean something more than believing in the commandments of God. It would have to include more than thinking that the commandments of God are nice. It isn't just to be in favor of the commandments.
Perhaps you have heard that it is true you will be keeping the commandments but that you won't be keeping them perfectly. Let's read it that way: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, but not perfectly." Do you want that added? That isn't what it says. I would like to take the position that if you don't keep the commandments of God perfectly, you don't keep them at all. Either you do or you don't.
The final issue in the great controversy is not going to be over whether Jesus died or not, or over whether or not His blood is sufficient. The last great issue, just before Jesus come, is whether we can obey or whether we continue to disobey. That's the final conflict. (See The Desire of Ages, p. 763.)
Can we obey? Or can we not obey? Does this subject seem incompatible with the theme of salvation by faith in Jesus? Does it sound as though we're headed straight for legalism? Or is it possible that the subjects of obedience and of salvation by faith alone can be found to harmonize?
When we accept as the foundation of our hope of salvation that we can come to Jesus just as we are, and are accepted because of what He did for us at the cross, we are then able to understand obedience correctly. Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleiveth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:16, 17).
Perhaps it is a new thought to some that we live by faith, as well as come to God by faith initially. Obedience is by faith, plus or minus nothing else. Obedience is by faith alone.
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